ORLANDO, Nov. 1 – Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men, and Florida Hospital and the Orlando Magic teamed up to bring awareness to this vital health issue and the importance of screening.
Thousands of Magic fans — donning blue mustaches — watched as NBA legend Oscar Robertson was featured during Prostate Cancer Awareness Night. After being diagnosed with prostate cancer several years ago, Robertson became an outspoken advocate for prostate cancer awareness and education.
According to the American Cancer Society, one in seven men will be diagnosed with cancer during his lifetime. When detected early, prostate cancer is treatable and beatable. That’s why it is important for men older than 40 to undergo regular physical exams that look for the warning signs of cancer.
“My prostate cancer was detected after a routine annual screening by my physician,” Robertson said. “I was not in pain and did not feel ill. I would not have known about the cancer had I not done the screening and followed up with my physician about my test results.”
Robertson was treated by Dr. Vipul Patel and his team at the Florida Hospital Global Robotics Institute at Celebration Health.
“While the PSA test is not foolproof, such screening measures save lives,” Patel said. “I encourage men age 40 and over to get screened.”
Monday, November 17, 2014
